Diocese of Providence celebrates Rhode Island couples’ milestone anniversaries

Providence, R.I (WJAR) — The Diocese of Providence honored 184 couples from 66 Rhode Island parishes celebrating milestone wedding anniversaries this year at a mass on Sunday afternoon.

Couples from across the state were at the Cathedral of Saints Peter & Paul to renew their vows with some celebrating more than 70 years of marriage.

“Just to be able to renew our vows and we’re going to do another chapter in this adventure. It’s been a roller coaster. It’s been great,” Denise Brown said.

Sunday was Thomas and Denise Brown’s 40th wedding anniversary.

“I actually I got a little emotional so it surprised me,” Thomas Brown said. “It was good.”

“It’s such a great privilege to thank these couples who have so many decades of fidelity to each other contribution to their parishes in the community. It’s just a happy day,” Bishop Richard Henning said. “The image of God is imprinted on our hearts and that their faithful marriage is a way of revealing that truth of God’s presence and love to the world.”

Evelyn & Anthony Russo; Married 76 years

“Mass was beautiful. Really, really beautiful.”

At 76 years, Evelyn & Anthony Russo have been married the longest of the couples.

“We can depend on each other,” Evelyn Russo said when asked the secret to a long marriage.

“You need to have patience, tolerance, love, understanding, sharing, and faithfulness,” Anthony Russo said.